Segmented Wheel Design for Track Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track systems for heavy vehicles are inefficient due to heavy wheels, which reduce the life of the track system and increase energy consumption, and existing wheeled systems often have poor traction on soft or uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design with an integrally formed body featuring a hub portion, rim portion, and walls that define an interior chamber for holding forming material, with apertures for evacuating debris and improving traction, and a tandem wheel assembly with axles connectable to a connecting structure for enhanced support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy wheels are used in track systems for heavy vehicles, then the structural strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the energy consumption increases and the track system life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is divided into multiple segments including a hub portion, rim portion, and web portions with reinforcing ribs. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the hub and rim maintain structural strength while the web portions with ribs provide reinforcement without excessive weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcing ribs are strategically placed in specific locations on the web portions where structural strength is most needed. This local reinforcement approach provides the necessary strength in critical areas while minimizing material usage in non-critical areas, thereby reducing overall weight and energy consumption while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If heavy wheels are used in track systems, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the track system life and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel structure is segmented into hub, rim, and web portions with reinforcing ribs, allowing optimized load distribution across different areas. This segmentation enables the wheel to bear heavy loads while reducing overall weight, thereby decreasing stress on the track system and extending its operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel employs a composite structural design combining different geometric features (hub, rim, web, ribs) that work together to provide high load-bearing capacity relative to weight. This composite approach creates a lightweight yet strong wheel that reduces track system wear and extends service life.
3Ease of operation
If conventional wheeled systems are used on soft or uneven surfaces, then the vehicle can move on ground surfaces, but the traction is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel design incorporates features that extend the effective contact dimension with the ground surface, including the laterally sloped inner surface of the rim portion and the overall wheel geometry. This dimensional approach increases the contact area and improves traction on soft or uneven surfaces while maintaining mobility.
4Ease of operation
If tires are used on heavy vehicles, then the vehicle can move on ground surfaces, but the ground surface is compacted in an undesirable way
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel design features a larger effective contact area with the ground surface through its geometric configuration, including the rim portion's laterally sloped inner surface. This increased contact area distributes the vehicle's weight more evenly across the ground surface, reducing compaction forces and minimizing harmful effects on the terrain while maintaining mobility.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel for a track assembly is disclosed. The wheel includes an integrally formed body having hub and rim portions and first and second walls. The first and second walls, which connect the rim and hub portions, extend radially therebetween. The hub and rim portions and the first and second walls define an interior chamber configured to hold forming material. The first wall defines an aperture providing a pathway to the interior chamber for the evacuation of the forming material, and the aperture being shaped for evacuating debris introduced into the interior chamber in operation. A track system having the same is also disclosed.